Chapter 385
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 385
Chapter Title: As Desired
Gwan Yeong visited Yi Hwan once more.
“I think we’ll have to put off negotiations for a while.”
“Because of the battle at Jeoksu?”
“You knew, of course.”
“Wouldn’t it be stranger if I didn’t? In any case, I hope you defend Jeoksu safely.”
“Thank you.”
Here, Gwan Yeong brought up what he wanted to say.
“Could you hold off on things until I return?”
“That’s impossible.”
“Great Prince, wouldn’t that undermine the very meaning of negotiations?”
“To repeat myself, I don’t concern myself with anything not put down in writing. Passing on the Grand Minister of Works’ wishes to His Majesty was the bare minimum courtesy—don’t expect any more.”
Gwan Yeong realized from Yi Hwan’s firm attitude that further words were pointless.
In truth, he hadn’t expected anything. He already knew Yi Hwan wasn’t the type to comply just because asked. And with the possibility of seeking aid from Yeon Kingdom again as before, there was no need to unnecessarily provoke Yi Hwan’s temper.
“Then I’ll see you again soon.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
Gwan Yeong departed shortly after.
Yi Hwan discussed future matters with his close aides over tea. There, Go Mi first reported on the Jeoksu situation.
“Zhao Kingdom has fully occupied the northern region of Jeoksu. But the overall war seems evenly matched still.”
“They’d have bolstered their defenses well after taking such a heavy blow once.”
“That too, but it seems General Wi Ji-gwan, skilled in defense, is the main reason.”
Yi Hwan recalled Wi Ji-gwan.
‘He’s certainly a superior talent to Won Gae-se.’
Ju Tae asked.
“Could Jo Yun come down personally?”
“Who knows. It’d suit me fine if he did.”
“What if Qin Kingdom gets devoured like this? That wouldn’t be good for our Yeon at all, would it?”
“You’re misunderstanding something.”
“……Pardon?”
“I only permitted up to Jeoksu. If Zhao Kingdom covets more than that, then we’ll have to move as well.”
Everyone’s eyes widened at Yi Hwan’s words. He continued calmly.
“But even if Zhao Kingdom is content with the northern region of Guiju Fortress, Qin will have no choice but to seek our aid as before. Without knowing of the treaty between us and Zhao, they can’t help but fear greater threats. If we reluctantly accept Qin’s request then, we can make the mines fully ours.”
Clap, clap, clap!
Hwa Ryeong suddenly clapped.
“If that happens, we aid Qin without breaking the treaty with Zhao and resolve the mine issue too. Wow! What a perfect ending!”
“Oh ho!”
Everyone exclaimed in admiration.
Go Mi was no exception.
‘Just where does the Great Prince’s ingenuity end?’
Yi Hwan drained the last of his tea.
Clink.
“I’m going to rest. Everyone out.”
“Sleep well!”
“Rest well!”
* * *
Stepping outside, Kim Mu-gwan glanced back at Yi Hwan’s quarters and let out a hollow chuckle.
“Heh, this is something.”
“What’s that?”
“It feels like two kingdoms are dancing in the palm of the Great Prince’s hand.”
“Indeed. Sitting here still and taking northern lands and mines alike. What a remarkable man.”
“We in Haedong need to be careful too.”
At that, Ju Tae asked.
“You serious?”
“Just kidding.”
“…….”
Kim Mu-gwan called out softly to Cha Ryong and Ban Go standing before Yi Hwan’s quarters.
“Want to grab some food together?”
“We’ll eat later.”
“He’ll be sleeping for a while, so better to go now, no?”
“We’re fine.”
“Can’t be helped then. Keep up the good work.”
With Cha Ryong’s firm refusal, they headed to the mess. Along the way, Park Ji-mun furrowed his brow.
“Isn’t he trusting those guys too easily? Even with seals on them, who knows what they might pull.”
“Didn’t you just call him a remarkable man?”
“I did.”
“Then trust the Great Prince’s judgment.”
“…….”
* * *
Ban Go glared at Ju Tae and the others walking away, twitching his nose.
“That bastard’s tongue too short?”
“Don’t mind it.”
“We’re guarding the Great Prince too—shouldn’t they show some respect?”
Snicker.
“Did you get respect back there?”
“What’re you saying? That was then, this is now.”
“Until just recently, we were their enemies. Don’t expect that gap to close easily. Them even inviting us to eat is something.”
“……Right?”
Ban Go scratched his head.
That was when.
“Go eat together.”
Yi Hwan’s voice drifted out.
“We’re fine, sir.”
“To get close quick, you eat and drink together. So listen.”
Ban Go asked.
“Then who guards here?”
“Do I look like someone who’d fall to an ambush?”
“Of course not. Who’d dare target the Great Prince?”
[Let’s go.]
Cha Ryong grabbed Ban Go’s arm and said.
“Then we’ll be off.”
“Eat plenty. Go easy on the liquor.”
“Yes.”
“Yessir!”
* * *
Snicker.
Yi Hwan smiled faintly as he listened to their receding footsteps.
Cha Ryong and Ban Go acting as if they’d guarded him for years felt not awkward at all—rather endearing, even.
‘Does this mean I’m blessed with good retainers?’
* * *
Whoosh!
Rain poured for days on end.
A rare sight in the dry north. Tae Seon stared at the fierce downpour and grumbled.
“The storm’s halted work for days now. Every hour counts for us.”
Cheol Mu-ok nodded silently and lifted his teacup. It was the Dragon Well tea Gong Son-do had brought when he arrived.
Clink.
“Zhao’s forces have gone suspiciously quiet. They aren’t plotting something, are they?”
“We’ve strengthened scouting. Let’s wait.”
“But you know what?”
“What?”
“You’re a lot like the Great Prince. Especially now, when everyone else is anxious, you act all calm like it’s nothing.”
Snicker.
“Not exactly a compliment?”
“Call it half and half.”
As Tae Seon shot Cheol Mu-ok a glance and raised her teacup, it happened.
“Brother!”
Gong Son-do burst in.
Tae Seon’s brows arched gracefully.
“Knock first!”
“Ah, sorry.”
“What’s got you so worked up?”
“Zhao’s army is withdrawing! Not some—not all of them!”
Cheol Mu-ok and Tae Seon’s eyes widened round.
“Really?”
“Yes, ma’am. I saw it with my own eyes on the way back.”
Tae Seon turned to Cheol Mu-ok, muttering.
“What’s going on? Why are they suddenly pulling back? Did something happen inside?”
“If there was trouble inside, they’d tighten defenses more, no?”
“Then did they start war with Qin again?”
“Even if resuming war with Qin, pulling every soldier from here is unthinkable.”
Cheol Mu-ok shot to his feet.
“Where to?”
“Guess I need to check myself.”
“I’ll come too.”
“Me three.”
As the three headed out, Commander Gwi Rang entered.
“Ma’am, a dispatch from the Great Prince.”
“From the Great Prince?”
Tae Seon unfolded the dispatch Gwi Rang handed her. Her expression changed in an instant.
“So it was the Great Prince’s doing.”
“What do you mean?”
“Read it.”
Cheol Mu-ok read the dispatch Tae Seon passed him. It detailed Zhao’s army withdrawing and the reason why.
A smile tugged at Cheol Mu-ok’s lips.
“Steering things here from a thousand li away.”
Gong Son-do, checking the dispatch late, grinned.
“As expected of our lord!”
Cheol Mu-ok sat back down.
“Now even more rain’s fine. Thanks to this, the warriors can rest proper—no more cursing the heavens.”
“Got it.”
Tae Seon finally smiled brightly.
“Day like today calls for a drink, right? On the way, I saw they caught a pig too…….”
“You sure?”
“I’m all for it.”
Gwi Rang asked.
“And Yi Seong-ji?”
“Of course he joins.”
“I’ll have them prepare.”
Gong Son-do stood.
“I’ll fetch him.”
“No. I’ll go.”
* * *
Whoosh!
Yi Seong-ji gazed at the pouring rain through his window, lost in thought.
He’d always loved rain since childhood, so this rare northern weather delighted him.
At the table, Gong Ya-un prepared tea. It was the Dragon Well tea Yi Hwan and Yi Yeong had packed generously when heading north.
“Your Highness, the tea’s ready.”
“Yes.”
Yi Seong-ji returned to the table.
“Even same Dragon Well, but the aroma’s different—must be the finest the Princess picked for Your Highness.”
“Something to be grateful for.”
“How’s your inner power?”
At Gong Ya-un’s question, Yi Seong-ji smiled faintly and suddenly brought his right hand over the teacup.
What followed was astonishing. The tea rose into the air, then began shifting like a living thing.
Sometimes a large orb, sometimes splitting into dozens—Gong Ya-un couldn’t hide his awe.
“Oh!”
“Thanks to you, brother, I’ve advanced those stagnant techniques a step.”
The first thing Yi Seong-ji did here was consume the spirit pill in the urgency pouch Yi Hwan gave before departing north.
Its effect surpassed expectations. Yi Seong-ji hadn’t dreamed he’d break through the blocked wall so suddenly.
Sob!
Gong Ya-un’s eyes reddened fast.
“Why again?”
“I just want to rush to the capital and kowtow to the Great Prince. We’ve received so much grace.”
Gong Ya-un shed tears at last.
*To grow stronger for His Majesty, the kingdom, and the people.*
Recalling Yi Hwan saying that always moved Yi Seong-ji too.
Then.
“Your Highness, it’s Mu-ok.”
Gong Ya-un hurriedly wiped his eyes at Cheol Mu-ok’s voice from outside.
“Come in.”
Cheol Mu-ok entered.
Gong Ya-un rose.
“I’ll prepare another cup.”
“No need.”
Cheol Mu-ok handed Yi Seong-ji the dispatch from Yi Hwan straightaway.
“A dispatch from our lord.”
Yi Seong-ji unfolded it at once. Reading it, he looked at Cheol Mu-ok in surprise.
Cheol Mu-ok smiled.
“We’ve confirmed Zhao’s army withdrawing. So we’re setting a modest drinking party—join us.”
“Day like today’s perfect for a drink. But is it alright with me there?”
“Your Highness is Yeon imperial kin. Our lord’s brother—who’d object?”
At Cheol Mu-ok’s words, moved Gong Ya-un bowed his head to hide tears.
Cheol Mu-ok eyed him, brow furrowing.
“You unwell?”